Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 4.djvu/71

SONAR. many and others do not. Some Sonars are followers of Seva and Kali, others of Vishnu and Krishna; but the majority are in the former classes. They are a quiet inoffensive race, as might be supposed, rarely attaining much wealth, but always in comfortable circumstances. They rank according to their "gotes;" some, probably the greater number, being Vaisyas, who wear the sacred thread, or junwa; the rest "Sudras" of good social standing. They are rarely or ever cultivators, nor do they enter into general trade, except that of money, with gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls. Some of the Sudi'a Sonars occasionally eat meat, and drink spirituous liquors; but, for the most part, they are strict vegetarians, and of very temperate habits. They many only one wife, except in instances where there is no offspring, when another may be taken. Sonar women are accused generally of loose conduct; but are most likely as chaste, on the whole, as their neighbours. Many of them are very good-looking, especially in the Deccan and Guzerat. From their fair complexions in these localities the Sonars would seem to be pure Aryans; and it is most probable they, as one of the most ancient order of artizans in India, are of nearly unmixed descent. The art of working in silver and gold is one of the most ancient in the world, and existed in India far anterior, it is probable, to the Vedas and the institutes of Menu.